Police: Clayton County Sheriff Hill shoots woman inside model home

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Investigators are hoping to get more answers Monday a day after a sheriff is accused of shooting a woman.

Clayton County Sheriff Victor Hill shot and critically injured the woman inside a model home Sunday at 5:39 p.m., according to police. But when officers arrived at the Gwinnett County subdivision, Hill declined to provide any information on what happened.

“He refused to cooperate and give any statement,” Sgt. Brian Doan with Gwinnett police said.

The woman, who worked inside the Lawrenceville-area model home, was shot in the abdomen and taken to Gwinnett Medical Center, according to police.

“She’s not able to give any information due to her condition,” Doan said.

The victim was identified as 43-year-old Gwenevere McCord of Jonesboro.

Officers were called to Britt Trail Drive on a report of an accidental shooting, according to police. Hill was released from the scene while the investigation continued late Sunday. Officers planned to execute a search warrant at the home, Doan said.

It was not known whether Hill would face criminal charges for the shooting, which was reported to Gwinnett District Attorney Danny Porter.

“When you’re an active and sitting sheriff, there are things that have to be done before you can be charged with a crime,” Doan said.

Hill and McCord were the only two people inside of the model home when the shooting happened.

Hill, 50, is in his second term as sheriff and began his current term Jan. 1, 2013. He was also sheriff from January 2005 through 2008. Both of terms in office have included controversy.

In the fall of 2013, Hill was acquitted of racketeering charges related to his use of a county-issued credit card.

During the final week of his first term, Hill filed for bankruptcy, due partly to the amount of money he owed in damages for lawsuits against him. On his first day in office in 2005, Hill fired 27 deputies, who later sued for wrongful termination. They won their jobs back and settled for $7 million, which was paid by Clayton County.

WSBTV